Thomas D’Arcy McGee 11th Annual Summer School Day 1

Thomas D’Arcy McGee 11^th Annual Summer School

Carlingford Heritage Centre, Carlingford, Co Louth

August 31^st – September 1^st

Theme:   Celebrating the Politics of Difference – The Relevance of McGee in Europe under Assault

The Thomas D’Arcy McGee Annual Summer School is back onsite in the idyllic setting of Carlingford Heritage centre.  East meets West every summer at the Summer School where issues of contemporary politics are debated in the historic context of McGee and his pioneering views on multiculturalism, ethnicity and accommodation.  The Summer School has established itself as a popular forum for politicians, government ministers, ambassadors, academics, historians and community activists to exchange views and seek direction.

This year, as war rages in Eastern Europe, the pressing issues of ethnicity, conflict and resolution still dominate global discourse.  The framework for governance and the lasting peace established under the Good Friday Agreement have never been more important as Brexit challenges the European project.  The 2022 Summer School looks through the perspective of D’Arcy McGee to understand better the significance of these current events as we bring together great minds and thinkers and activists from across Ireland, Europe and Canada to promoting dialogue and reconciliation.  Through a range of keynote and panel sessions, we are delighted to welcome back to Carlingford old favourites and present new voices drawn from the academic, diplomatic, political and social fields who will share thoughts and perspectives on how past lessons can inform the creation of peaceful, lasting and just solutions to contemporary issues.

A range of networking opportunities throughout the conference allow participants to enjoy the charms of this historic town, establish new friendships and copper fasten old ones.

Programme Day 1 – August 31^st 1.30pm

1.30pm                             Opening address

Her Excellency Nancy Smyth

Canadian Ambassador to Ireland

Speakers:

1.50pm – 2.30pm       D’Arcy McGee’s Reflections on War, Peace and  Reconciliation

Professor David Wilson

University of Toronto (online)

2.30pm – 3.15pm       The European Union: Identity, Challenges and Truth

Bobby McDonagh

Former Irish Ambassador to the European Union and the United Kingdom.

3.15pm – 3.30pm     Reflections

Her Excellency Larysa Gerasko,

Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland

3.30pm – 4pm              Tea/Coffee

4pm – 4.50pm              Panel:  Reflections upon 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement and

                                       European Dimension

Moderated by Tommy Sands – The Songman

                                       Jackie McDonald – Spokesperson –

South Belfast Ulster Political Research   Group

                                        Sean Murray – Special Adviser Sinn Féin and Community Activist

4.50pm – 5.30pm         Reflections

General (Retired) John De Chastelain (online)

Evening

6pm – 7.15pm             Reception at the station House and Irish Canadian International Person of

                                                             the Year Award Presentation

Carlingford Pipe Band

Altnaveigh Memorial Pipe Band

9pm                            “Songs and Stories”

Len Graham and Jack Lynch

                                    The event is open to the public.

                                    Location: The Carlingford Arms